Pad for the backs of horses



(No Model.)

G. MUDFORD.

PAD FOR THE BACKS 0P HORSES.

No. 426,042. Patented Apr. 22. 1890.

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CHARLES MUDFORD, OF TEXARKANA, TEXAS.

PAD FOR THE BACKS OF HORSES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 426,042, dated April 22, 1890.

Application filed November 29,1889. Serial No. 331,844. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES MUDFORD, a citizen of the United States, residing at TeX- arkana, in the county of Bowie and State of Texas, have invented a new and useful Pad or Blanket for the Backs of Horses, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has relation to a pad or blanket for the backs of horses and to be used under either riding or harness saddles; and the invention consists in certain features of construction hereinafter specified, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a perspective of a combined pad and blanket constructed in accordance with my invention, the same being inflated. Fig. 2 is a transverse section, and Fig.3 a longitudinal section, of the same.

Like numerals of reference indicate like parts in all the figures of the drawings.

In practicing my invention I form the cushion of two opposite halves or blanks of airtight material, the same being cut to a shape best adapted for the purpose in view.

1 represents the blanks or opposite halves, the corners of which are in this instance rounded, and the opposite edges are securely cemented or otherwise connected, as at 3, to form an air-tight joint, and through an opening 4 at one end of the cushion thus formed there is inserted an air-tube 6, having a valve 7, adapted to be screwed thereon to prevent the escape of air. The sections are of such light and expansible material that the pad may most readily be inflated by a person blowing therein through the tube 6, after which by screwing down the valve the air is prevented from escaping. The inner surfaces of the sections are connected along their longitudinal centers by means of a flexible, though unyielding, strip 9, which subdivides the pad, forming opposite chambers, the edges of the strips being connected by cement or otherwise to the sections. The ends of the strip extend to within a short distance of the connecting-seams at the ends of the cushion and form intermediate communicating openings 10, by which air may freely pass from one chamber to the other.

When placed in position upon an animals back, the cushion will take upon each side thereof, and a riding or harness saddle is placed upon the same, which byreason of its inflation greatly relieves the back of the animal, preventing soreness, &c-. The non-elastic strip 9 is folded longitudinally upon itself, as shown in Fig. 2, in a bellows-like manner, so as to readily yield to compression.

Having described my invention, what I claim is 1. The air-tight cushion composed of opposite blanks of elastic air-tight material secured along their adjacent edges, and a central longitudinallydisposed dividing strip dividing the cushion into opposite compartments, and provided with openings affording communication between the compartments, substantially as specified.

2. The air-tight cushion provided at one end with a centrally-located valve and between the opposite sections of the cushion with a longitudinally-disposed non-elastic bellows-shaped strip cemented along its opposite edges to the opposite surfaces of the cushion, and dividing the same into opposite compartments and terminating short of the ends of the cushion, thereby forming opposite openings affording communication between the compartments, substantially as specified.

In testimony thatI claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES MUDFORD.

Witnesses:

JAS. MCMAHON, W. H. OULLoM. 

